The knight is a powerful piece in chess because, unlike other pieces,
it has the power to jump over other pieces. There is a certain irony,
therefore, in the fact that Knight Templars were prohibited from
playing chess. Rule 317 reads, in part: " Each brother may play with
wooden tent pegs without iron, or forbot if the wood is his. And let
it be known that a brother of the Temple should play no other game
except marelles, which each may play if he wishes, for pleasure
without placing wagers. No brother should play chess, backgammon, or
eschacons. ( see J.M. Upton-Ward's translation of " The Rule of the
Templars."
WLG
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